Hartlepool 3-0 Notts County: Report

18 February 2012 06:01

Hartlepool coasted to a 3-0 win over Notts County, climbing up to ninth in the League One table in the process.

After a first loss in six games at Preston in midweek, Pools bounced back in style.

Luke James scuffed a close range effort wide and James Brown headed wastefully over as the hosts got a hold on the game and they deservedly went ahead after 38 minutes.

Evan Horwood crossed from the left and midfielder Antony Sweeney was free to head home from 10 yards out.

Pools went close again just before half-time as Sweeney lofted his shot wayward at the far post.

But after 55 minutes, Sweeney did grab his second goal. A well-weighted Andy Monkhouse pass played in the advancing Neil Austin and, from his low cross, Sweeney swept in his sixth of the season and his fourth in five games.

Sweeney then set up Monkhouse for the third, playing a low reverse pass for the attacker to cut inside and curl in a low finish.